This walk can be as short as 7 miles for the return trip if you start on Hob Lane south of Balsall Common or 10 miles if you start in the centre of Balsall Common. The walk is across fields and requires boots outside the dry months.
It used to be easy to walk to Kenilworth, until HS2 got involved. Pending the opening of the temporary greenway there is no simple hard surface route between the two. The temporary greenway was supposed to be open in mid-2020 but it is now scheduled for the first quarter, but of which year who can tell.
This walk takes you across the fields where there are some good views on the rolling countryside. There is a loop at the Kenilworth end but you come back the same way for 2/3rds of the walk having reached Kenilworth Castle. There are two pubs just by the castle in Old Kenilworth and a great little café “Time for Tea” which is doing take ways which you can enjoy over-looking the castle.
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
Where to start?
The simplest place to start is to park your car on Hob Lane south of Balsall Common just to the west of Beanit Farm. You can walk there from Balsall Common across Barratts Farm to Old Waste Lane and then follow the Millennium Way to Hob Lane if you want some more miles.
Your route
The route simply follows well marked public footpaths. From Hob Lane you head west to Black Hales Farm. Cross the track and go straight on through the next kissing gate.
Follow the path from there to the A452 which you need to cross with caution on the outward leg. It is not easy to see traffic from both directions until it is quite close because the road bends where the footpath crosses. Use your ears to hear the traffic as well as look for it.
Click image to enlarge
Go straight on after you have crossed the road and you will shortly come to a “T” junction of footpaths.
Turn left and simply follow the worn path. It zig zags a bit until you come to the drive of Redfyn Manor.
Turn right to the Manor. Just before you get there, take the path on your left which goes around the south side on the Manor.
Simply follow that path across the fields. You will get some nice views. Eventually you come to Chase Lane.
Go straight across and follow the path. At this point you can see the castle on a hill between
Click image to enlarge
To go back you can retrace your steps or you can do the loop shown on the map.
After leaving Purlieu Lane for the fields, you climb up a hill.
On reaching the “top” by a gateway and a derelict stone farm building, you will see there are 2 paths. Originally you came down the one on the left but you can take the one on your right.
Follow that through and you get to Chase Lane about ½ mile to the east of where you crossed it on the outward leg.
Turn left and walk up this quiet lane. When you get to a terrace of three cottages on your left, there is your footpath home. Turn right onto it and home you go.
